Asked if there was any chance of Lawrence remaining at Portman Road next season, McCarthy said: “No chance I don’t think. For one I think Tom will have his heart set on the Premier League and I think that he’ll get that.

“If they were to sell him I think there would be a lot of takers.

“Tom has been brilliant, we’ve all loved him, everybody has really appreciated what he’s done, but I think he’s got his heart set on Premier League football – and why wouldn’t he? We’ve got no chance.”